The Washington Nationals' efforts to re-sign free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche are hung up because the two sides cannot agree on the length of a new contract, The Washington Post reports.

LaRoche, coming off Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, wants a three-year deal. But the club so far is offering only two years.

“To be honest, it’s a years thing now,” LaRoche told the newspaper. “I think they’re really wanting to stick to two years. I’m trying to talk them into lengthening that. To be honest, probably just one year. I’m not looking for four or five. I understand I’m 33 years old."

LaRoche recently had a conversation with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo about negotiations.

“I can’t say it moved forward. We understand each other a lot more now. I think he understands where I’m coming from. He understands I want to be there, kind of my argument for three years not being unreasonable," LaRoche said. "So, I don’t know.”

Rizzo explained to LaRoche the Nationals' reluctance to go beyond two years: 1) Once Anthony Rendon, the team's 2011 first-round draft pick, arrives in the majors, the infield will be crowded; 2) The team is expecting to have to make huge financial commitments in the coming years to Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg and other homegrown players.

"It was great,” LaRoche said. “It’s cool with Rizz. I think we can both open up and be really honest and not have to play the game of keeping everything close to the vest. I think we’re both a little bit past that. I’ve got too much respect for him to try to B.S. him through this, and I think he’s the same way.”

The Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles both are believed to be interested in signing LaRoche.

In 154 games in 2012, LaRoche hit .271/.343/.510 with 33 homers and 100 RBIs.